Effects of Vasopressin on Human Memory Functions

Weingartner, Herbert; Gold, Philip W.; Ballenger, James C.; Smallberg, Sheila A.; Summers, Richard L.; Rubinow, David R.; Post, Robert M.; Goodwin, Frederick K.

doi:10.1126/science.7455701

Cited by 312 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Recently, LeMoal et al (1981) reported that dPTyr (Me) AVP, one of the specific vascular receptor antagonists of vasopressin, abolished the effect of vasopressin on active avoidance behavior. However, Weingartner et al (1981) reported that DDAVP altered aspects of memory function in adult humans. This information suggests that the central effects of vasopressin may be mediated through both types of vasopressin receptor, or a third type of receptor partially influenced by vasopressin and DDAVP.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration of suppressed baroreflex sensitivity in rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro rats) by arginine-vasopressin and DDAVP.

Imai¹,

Nolan²,

Johnston³

1983

Circulation Research

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SUMMARY. To determine the influence of vasopressin on baroreceptor reflex mechanisms, baroreflex function in Brattleboro rats was compared with that in normal Long-Evans rats. Baroreflex function was assessed in conscious unrestrained rats during increases in blood pressure with phenylephrine (200 Mg/kg per min for 10 seconds). The baroreflex function line was obtained by plotting the log (pulse period) against the preceding systolic pressure on a beat-by-beat basis. The slope of the baroreflex function line (baroreflex function slope) in Long-Evans rats [(19.0 ± 1.4) X 10" 4 , mean ± SEM, n = 34] was significantly steeper than that in Brattleboro rats [(6.9 ± 0.6) X 10~\ n = 44, P < 0.001]. A subpressor intravenous infusion of arginine 8 -vasopressin (2 ng/kg per min for 2 hours), which elevated plasma vasopressin to 48.1 ± 6.8 pg/ml, caused bradycardia and increased the baroreflex function slope in Brattleboro rats, from (7.5 ± 1.0) x 10"" to within the normal Long-Evans range [(17.0 ± 0.8) x 10~\ n = 7, P < 0.001]. The basal pulse period and the baroreflex function slope in Brattleboro rats [(7.0 ± 0.9) x 10~4] was also increased significantly to (12.0 ± 1.7) X 10"* (n = 11, P < 0.01) by an infusion of l-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin, (2 ng/kg per min for 2 hours), a vasopressin analogue with potent antidiuretic but minimal vascular actions. Acute volume expansion, which increased body weight significantly, did not change the baroreflex function slope in Brattleboro rats [(7.7 ± 1.1) X 10" [140][141][142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149] 1983)

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Restoration of suppressed baroreflex sensitivity in rats with hereditary diabetes insipidus (Brattleboro rats) by arginine-vasopressin and DDAVP.

Imai¹,

Nolan²,

Johnston³

1983

Circulation Research

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“…Vasopressin has received much attention and may be involved in tasks in which past experience plays a role (25,26). According to structure-activity data, these effects could be mediated by an interaction with receptors different from the known vasopressin receptors (27).…”

Section: *Ivmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of a uterine-type oxytocin receptor in the rat hippocampus.

Mühlethaler¹,

Sawyer²,

Manning³

et al. 1983

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Extracellular recordings were obtained from a class of nonpyramidal neurones in hippocampal slices. Oxytocin applied to the bath at concentrations of 1 nM or greater excited these cells. This effect was reversibly antagonized by a synthetic structural analogue known to block the peripheral endocrine effects of oxytocin. The effect of oxytocin was mimicked by a selective oxytocic agonist and, with less potency, by vasopressin and by other structural analogues. The potencies of oxytocin, vasopressin, and of these analogues in the hippocampus correlated well with their uterotonic activities but not with their vasopressor or antidiuretic activities. The data suggest that a class of hippocampal neurones is endowed with receptors for oxytocin that are similar to those of uterine smooth muscle cells.Vasopressin and oxytocin are peptide hormones that are synthesized in neuronal cell bodies located in the hypothalamus and are carried by axoplasmic transport to the neurohypophysis, from which they are released into the general circulation in response to appropriate stimuli. In addition, they are also present in nerve fibers in various areas within the central nervous system (1). A calcium-dependent, depolarization-induced release of these peptides can be demonstrated from some areas of the brain where axons immunoreactive for vasopressin and oxytocin have been shown to terminate synaptically on neuronal elements (2, 3). This suggests that oxytocin and vasopressin, in addition to their general hormonal effects, might act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators in the brain.It has been shown that vasopressin and oxytocin increase the rate of firing of a class of neurones in the CAl area of hippocampal slices. This electrophysiological response was not due to the peptides interacting with a receptor resembling the renal antidiuretic vasopressin receptor (4). However, at least two other types of endocrine receptors for neurohypophyseal hormones have been recognized. One is the vasopressor receptor, present on vascular smooth muscle cells and on liver cells, which triggers the vasopressor and glycogenolytic effects of vasopressin in these tissues (5-8). The other is an oxytocic receptor (9), which triggers the contractile response of the uterus to oxytocin. In this study, we attempted to assess whether receptors for oxytocin and vasopressin are similar in such widely different parts of the body as the brain and peripheral tissues responsive to these hormones. Because both vasopressin and oxytocin excited hippocampal neurones, it was possible that oxytocic receptors, vasopressor receptors, or a mixed novel class of receptors for neurohypophyseal peptides were involved. In theory, it should be possible to elucidate this point by using specific vasopressor antagonists and oxytocic antagonists. However, available antagonists are not truly specific and act on both vasopressor and oxytocic receptors (10). In contrast, highly selective oxytocic agonists are available (11). Therefore, we used a number of compounds possessing ...

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“…Vasopressin, a neuropeptide with well-characterized peripheral endocrine functions, has been shown to significantly enhance memory processes (1)(2)(3)(4). Evidence for central nervous system (CNS) localization of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was first documented by immunohistochemical (5)(6)(7) and radioimmunological findings (8)(9)(10).…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Vasopressin has also been shown to increase catecholamine turnover (17,18) as well as to enhance catecholamine activation of adenylate cyclase (19,20). Increased memory for learned behaviors, following treatment with AVP, has been observed in rodents (1,2), primates (3), and humans (4).…”

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confidence: 99%